Avid campaigner of human rights and women's issues is also the globe's most tech-savvy monarch.

Avid campaigner of human rights and women's issues is also the globe's most tech-savvy monarch. Nearly 600,000 people follow her on Twitter, where she identifies herself as "a mum and a wife with a really cool day job"; also has a Facebook page. Jordan's queen made significant strides in promoting East-West dialogue by leading a series of films on YouTube that explored shared medieval heritage; she has since been awarded YouTube's first-ever Visionary award. Hosted Pope Benedict XVI on his first trip to the Middle East. In July, Queen Rania's 15-year-old-son, Prince Hussein, was appointed heir to Jordan's throne. —Tatiana Serafin

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Published sources include Factiva, CIA factbook, State Department, country embassies, European Union website, U.S. Security and Exchange Commission filings, press releases, company websites and annual reports.